Basement floor drain backup

Hi all, I am having some plumbing issues in my house (built in 1987) and was wondering if anyone could help me out before calling a plumber.

The floor drain in my basement is backing up whenever I flush any big gush of water down. But when I am just running the tap or shower nothing overflows in the basement floor drain, only if I collect a sink full of water and then let it gush down all at once water will backup the floor drain.
None of my fixtures seem to be clogged except my basement toilet which is right next to the floor drain thats flooding. I'm not sure how the plumbing in my house is laid and if the toilet is causing the problem. I've tried plunging the toilet but cannot seem to get it cleared. I've also tried pouring drano down the floor drain which helped a bit but is still not clearing up.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem is or how I can fix it? any help would be appreciated.

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Hi all, I am having some plumbing issues in my house (built in 1987) and was wondering if anyone could help me out before calling a plumber.

The floor drain in my basement is backing up whenever I flush any big gush of water down. But when I am just running the tap or shower nothing overflows in the basement floor drain, only if I collect a sink full of water and then let it gush down all at once water will backup the floor drain.
None of my fixtures seem to be clogged except my basement toilet which is right next to the floor drain thats flooding. I'm not sure how the plumbing in my house is laid and if the toilet is causing the problem. I've tried plunging the toilet but cannot seem to get it cleared. I've also tried pouring drano down the floor drain which helped a bit but is still not clearing up.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem is or how I can fix it? any help would be appreciated.

Are you on sewer or septic?

It's most likely a blockage in the main line between the house and the street. Will require either snaking (large snake) or jetting through the main cleanout or by pulling the toilet.

It's most likely a blockage in the main line between the house and the street. Will require either snaking (large snake) or jetting through the main cleanout or by pulling the toilet.

Don't use chemicals in the drains.

Thanks for the quick reply!
I am not that handy but do you think this is something easy to do or should I get a plumber (which is really expensive! quote over the phone was $80 + $400 for visit and snaking).
Would I need to pull out the toilet to snake or can I just snake from the toilet bowl? And where/how can I find the main cleanout?
Also, when you say large snake, is that like a 50ft one that I can buy at Home Depot or the big ones that would need to be rented?

Thanks for the quick reply!
I am not that handy but do you think this is something easy to do or should I get a plumber (which is really expensive! quote over the phone was $80 + $400 for visit and snaking).
Would I need to pull out the toilet to snake or can I just snake from the toilet bowl? And where/how can I find the main cleanout?
Also, when you say large snake, is that like a 50ft one that I can buy at Home Depot or the big ones that would need to be rented?

You can't snake it through the toilet.

If the house was built in '87, you may have a cleanout outside around the foundation somewhere. It would be a 4" PVC or ABS pipe sticking up with a threaded cap on it.

Otherwise, there may be a 4" main stack in the basement with a cleanout. Post pics if you're not sure.

The snake required would be a large machine, heavy steel cable, and 3-4" blades. The length would depend on how far it is to the city main. 100' will typically do it.

The machines used for that are dangerous. So if you're not comfortable, hire a professional. Pricing can vary significantly. Call around. Get a few bids. Don't go with the cheapest.

If the house was built in '87, you may have a cleanout outside around the foundation somewhere. It would be a 4" PVC or ABS pipe sticking up with a threaded cap on it.

Otherwise, there may be a 4" main stack in the basement with a cleanout. Post pics if you're not sure.

The snake required would be a large machine, heavy steel cable, and 3-4" blades. The length would depend on how far it is to the city main. 100' will typically do it.

The machines used for that are dangerous. So if you're not comfortable, hire a professional. Pricing can vary significantly. Call around. Get a few bids. Don't go with the cheapest.

I couldn't find any pipes sticking outside around the foundation. The attached pictures are what I think might be possible cleanouts in my basement. Is this what a cleanout would look like? and what is the difference between the two?
I am thinking of calling a couple of friends to help me out with this instead of paying $300+ to get it done by a plumber.

I couldn't find any pipes sticking outside around the foundation. The attached pictures are what I think might be possible cleanouts in my basement. Is this what a cleanout would look like? and what is the difference between the two?
I am thinking of calling a couple of friends to help me out with this instead of paying $300+ to get it done by a plumber.

Yes, those are both cleanouts. The one on the right appears to be the one we're looking for since there's sewage seeping out of the cleanout plug.

Big snakes are dangerous. When they rent them they assume you know what you are doing. Do yourself a favor, call around for a rooter company that is not a large multi-state franchise. If you still want to do this yourself good luck to you.